Optical fiber ribbon and a method and system of producing the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an optical fiber ribbon, comprising a plurality of adjacent optical fiber units extending in a longitudinal direction and arranged in parallel forming an optical fiber assembly having a width, each of the optical fiber units comprising either a single fiber or a group of at most three optical fibers, preferably two optical fibers, encapsulated with a matrix material; and a plurality of successive elongated rectilinear beads of a bonding material being arranged along a length of said assembly; each of said plurality of beads being configured to form an elongated bond between two adjacent optical fiber units of the plurality of optical fiber units; wherein a first bead forming a first bond connects a first pair of adjacent optical fiber units while the successive bond formed by the successive bead, connects a further pair of adjacent optical fiber units, wherein at least one optical fiber unit of the further pair differs from the optical fiber units of the first pair; wherein at each longitudinal position of the optical fiber assembly there is at most one bond. The present invention moreover relates to a method of producing such an optical fiber ribbon. A fluorescent tracer is present in the beads.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an optical fiber ribbon and to a method and system for producing the same. The invention further relates to a method of examining an optical fiber ribbon.

BACKGROUND

The amount of data that is transmitted over optical fiber cables is continuously increasing. This increase is specifically eminent in data centers all over the world—e.g. due to expanding of cloud computing—in which all data has to be transmitted in a limited space. This causes an increasing demand for high-fiber-count and high fiber-density optical cables. Moreover, there is always a tendency to reduce the construction cost of the access cable network, making it important to reduce the diameter and weight of the optical cable. By decreasing optical cable diameter and weight it will be possible to use existing facilities such as underground ducts, which will reduce installation cost. An additional requirement is that in order to shorten the operation time of cable connection, the optical fibers should be mass fusion spliced.

This means that there are several—possibly conflicting—demands, being on the one hand decrease in optical cable diameter and on the other hand increasing the optical fiber density. This is a serious challenge for optical cable manufactures.

In order to obtain easy workability, optical fiber ribbons have been used that can be mass fusion spliced for making multiple optical fiber connections at once with improved flexibility.

Standard optical fiber ribbons however have the disadvantage of being rigid because there is a layer of resin applied around the optical fiber assembly in order to keep the optical fibers in a parallel plane. This rigidity limits the possibility to increase the fiber density in optical fiber cables.

JP2011221199 has proposed an option to provide a more flexible optical fiber ribbon by applying a sine-shaped line of matrix bonding material to one side of a parallel assembly of adjacent optical fibers.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical ribbon having improved flexibility that allows for rolling or folding of the optical fibers in a ribbon width direction. It is another object of the present invention to provide an optical ribbon that can be mass fusion spliced for making multiple optical fiber connections. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an optical fiber ribbon from which individual optical fibers, or, fiber units comprising at most three optical fibers encapsulated with a matrix material, can be separated without damaging adjacent optical fibers. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an optical fiber ribbon which allows for an efficient manufacturing with consistent high-quality, and/or post-manufacturing inspection of ribbons.

One or more of these objects are achieved by an optical fiber ribbon, comprising: i) a plurality of adjacent optical fiber units extending in a longitudinal direction and arranged in parallel forming an optical fiber assembly having a width, each of the optical fiber units comprising either a single optical fiber or a group of at most three optical fibers, preferably two optical fibers, encapsulated with a matrix material; and ii) a plurality of successive elongated rectilinear beads of a bonding material being arranged along a length of said assembly; each of said plurality of beads being configured to form an elongated bond between two adjacent optical fiber units of the plurality of optical fiber units, wherein a fluorescent tracer is present in each of said plurality of beads.

In an aspect, the invention relates to a method of producing an optical fiber ribbon, said method comprising *feeding a plurality of optical fiber units to provide a longitudinal optical fiber assembly having a width; wherein the plurality of optical fiber units are in parallel and adjacent to each other, each of the optical fiber units comprising either a single optical fiber or a group of at most three optical fibers, preferably two optical fibers, encapsulated with a matrix material; *applying a bonding material comprising a fluorescent tracer from a dispenser to a surface of said assembly wherein the bonding material forms a plurality of successive elongated rectilinear beads being configured to form bonds; wherein—each of said plurality of beads being configured to form an elongated bond between two adjacent optical fiber units of the plurality of optical fiber units.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a system for producing an above-described optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention, in accordance with an above-described method according to the present invention, the system comprising

-   -   a die for providing the optical fiber assembly, that is, a die         for positioning (aligning, arranging in parallel) the fiber         units of the fiber assembly with respect to each other,     -   a supply unit for feeding the plurality of optical fiber units         to the die,     -   a dispenser for applying the bonding material comprising the         fluorescent tracer to a surface of said assembly,     -   a station for treating, such as curing or cooling, the bonding         material,     -   an ultraviolet light source lighting the optical fiber ribbon         having the bonding material applied to a surface of the         assembly, and     -   a vision detection system for detecting visible light emitted by         the beads while being exposed to the ultraviolet light.

Corresponding embodiments of the ribbon disclosed below are also applicable for the method and system according to the present invention and vice versa.

The optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention thus has multiple optical fiber units arranged in parallel, and intermittently connected with another optical fiber unit. A connection is created by a bonding material on one side of the ribbon forming beads at the interstices (also called grooves) of the connected fiber units. The inventive ribbon is very flexible and it is therefore also effective for dense packing of the optical fiber ribbons within an optical fiber cable to give a high fiber density. The ribbon can be spliced at once with mass fusion splicing and individual optical fiber units can be separated from the ribbon easily.

Because a fluorescent tracer is present in each of said plurality of beads, a consistent high-quality manufacturing process of the optical fiber ribbon may efficiently be obtained. This is because the presence of the tracer throughout the plurality of beads allows for an easy and efficient examination of parameters, such as geometrical parameters, of a bead of the plurality of beads. The beads each form a bond between two adjacent optical fiber units and are thus important for the overall integrity of the optical fiber ribbon. For example, a sufficiently precise positioning of each of the beads in the interstice between the two adjacent fiber units is important in order for it to form an adequate bond between the two adjacent fiber units. When the bonding would be inadequate, the structural integrity of the ribbon would be compromised or the flexibility would be reduced.

By exposing a bead, or several consecutive beads, to ultraviolet light and detecting the emitted visible light from the tracer-containing bead, parameters like a length and width of a bead may be determined, or the position of a bead relative to other beads of the ribbon, or the extent to which the bonding material of the bead bulges above the fiber units, that is, a height dimension of a bead relative to a plane defined by the upper sides of the two optical fiber units. Such geometrical parameters, when in a predetermined target range, contribute to the integrity of the optical fiber ribbon.

The presence of the tracer throughout the beads also contributes to anti-counterfeiting measures, which is otherwise relatively difficult and time-consuming. A parameter like a specific wavelength or wavelength distribution (color) of the mentioned emitted visible light can easily and accurately be determined using suitable detection equipment such as a fluorimeter or optical spectrometer. When a ribbon, that means the beads thereof, does not emit visible light or a different type of visible light, a counterfeit ribbon may be detected; by comparing a determined wavelength to a predefined wavelength belonging to the optical fiber ribbon, it can be determined whether the optical fiber ribbon is indeed, or is not, the proper, or original, fiber ribbon and not a counterfeit ribbon which may be of inferior quality.

LIST OF DEFINITIONS

The following definitions are used in the present description and claims to define the stated subject matter. Other terms not cited below are meant to have the generally accepted meaning in the field.

-   -   optical fiber assembly as used in the present description means:         a loose arrangement of the plurality of parallel adjacent         optical fibers without any bonding between any of the fibers;     -   a fluorescent tracer as used in the present description means: a         fluorescent chemical compound (also called fluorophore or         fluorochrome) (or a mixture of one or more thereof) that emits         visible light when being exposed to ultraviolet light. Within         the context of the present invention the fluorescent tracer is a         fluorescent chemical compound that is present substantially         throughout the bonding material of the beads, e.g. added to and         mixed with the bonding material. This chemical compound (or         mixtures thereof), shows fluorescence when the ribbon and         thereby a bead, or several beads, is/are exposed to ultraviolet         light. In other words, the bead(s) light up when exposed to UV         light, as a result of which one or more parameters of said         bead/beads of the plurality of elongated beads of said bonding         material may be examined during exposure to the ultraviolet         light, such as by means of a vision detection system.         Fluorophores may comprise a several (combined) aromatic groups.         The fluorophores may either be present by adding and mixing to         the bonding material, e.g. as a dispersion, or the fluorophores         may be covalently bonded to curable resin or thermoplastic         material forming the bonding material.     -   assembly width (W) or width (W) as used in the present         description means: said assembly is formed of a number (N) of         optical fiber units each having a unit width (w) and a length         (L); said assembly having a width (W; W=w×N). In case that the         optical fiber units comprise a single fiber, the unit with         equals the fiber diameter (D) so that W=D×N;     -   bond as used in the present description means: a bead of bonding         material that bonds two adjacent optical fiber units over a         bonding length l). It should be noted that if two (or more)         subsequent beads are applied after another within the same         groove connecting the same two adjacent optical fiber units         these two (or more) beads are considered to form a bond together         with a bonding length (l) equal to the sum of the length of such         subsequent beads;     -   stepwise pattern as used in the present description means a         pattern constituted by a succession of beads over the plurality         of optical fiber units wherein the beads of said succession of         beads are each time spaced apart at a distance of one optical         fiber unit, in the width direction. That means, the step of the         stepwise pattern is one optical fiber unit. Thus, in case that         the assembly would be formed by a number of N optical fiber         units, an individual stepwise pattern is constituted by a         succession of (N−1) beads;     -   zig-zag like arrangement as used in the present description         means an arrangement following the trace of a triangle wave. The         zig-zag like arrangement in the present application is obtained         by fitting a line through mid-points of the subsequent beads of         subsequent stepwise patterns;     -   saw-tooth like arrangement as used in the present description         means an arrangement following the trace of a saw-tooth wave.         The saw-tooth like arrangement in the present application is         obtained by fitting a line through mid-points of the subsequent         beads of subsequent stepwise patterns;     -   a pitch (P) as used in the present description is defined as         having a length equal to the recurrence of the stepwise pattern         in the same width direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention is described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which embodiments of the present invention are shown and in which like reference numbers indicate the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 shows an optical fiber assembly (not part of the invention) in 3-dimensional view.

FIG. 2a shows an embodiment of an inventive optical fiber ribbon having an intermittent/discontinuous zig-zag like arrangement, in 3-dimensional view. FIG. 2b shows an embodiment of an inventive optical fiber ribbon having an intermittent/discontinuous zig-zag like arrangement with a different bonding length than the embodiment of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an inventive optical fiber ribbon having a continuous zig-zag like arrangement, in 3-dimensional view.

FIG. 4a shows an embodiment of an inventive optical fiber ribbon having an intermittent/discontinuous saw-tooth like arrangement, in 3-dimensional view. FIG. 4b shows the embodiment of FIG. 4a with a fitted saw-tooth line and pitch.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an inventive optical fiber ribbon having a partly continuous saw-tooth like arrangement, in 3-dimensional view.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of an inventive optical fiber ribbon having a continuous saw-tooth like arrangement, in 3-dimensional view.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a possible process line for preparing an optical fiber ribbon having six optical fibers.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of an optical fiber ribbon having a zig-zag like arrangement, in perspective view.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic representation of an optical fiber ribbon having a saw-tooth like arrangement, in perspective view.

FIG. 10 shows a picture of ribbon according to an embodiment of the present invention, in plan view.

FIG. 11 shows, in cross-sectional view, a picture of an optical cable unit being prepared using 24 optical fiber ribbons each having 12 optical fibers.

FIG. 12 shows, in cross-sectional view, an embodiment of an inventive optical fiber ribbon having fiber units formed by a group of two fibers.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a fluorescein salt suitable for use as the fluorescent tracer.

FIG. 14a-b show examples of oxazole and benzoxazole compounds respectively, suitable for use as the fluorescent tracer.

FIG. 15 shows the optical fiber ribbon according to FIG. 2a in combination with an embodiment of a vision detection system.

FIG. 16 shows the optical fiber ribbon according to FIG. 12 in combination with an embodiment of a vision detection system.

FIG. 17 shows a schematic representation of a possible further process line for preparing an optical fiber ribbon having six optical fibers.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As described above, in a first aspect the invention relates to a ribbon. Several embodiments of said ribbon are discussed below.

FIG. 1 discloses a plurality of adjacent optical fibers 2 having a diameter D and arranged in parallel forming a longitudinal optical fiber assembly 3 said assembly 3 having a width W and a length L. This assembly forms the basis for the optical fiber ribbon according to the present invention.

The invention relates to an optical fiber ribbon 100-700, comprising

-   -   a plurality of adjacent optical fiber units 5, 105 extending in         a longitudinal direction and arranged in parallel forming an         optical fiber assembly 3 having a width W, each of the optical         fiber units 5, 105 comprising either a single optical fiber 2 or         a group of at most three optical fibers 2, preferably two         optical fibers, encapsulated with a matrix material 8; and     -   a plurality of successive elongated rectilinear beads 4 of a         bonding material being arranged along a length of said assembly;         -   each of said plurality of beads 4 being configured to form             an elongated bond between two adjacent optical fiber units             5, 105 of the plurality of optical fiber units. A             fluorescent tracer is present in each of said plurality of             beads. That is, a fluorescent tracer is present in             (substantially throughout) the bonding material of the             plurality of beads.

In embodiments of the present invention, a first bead 4 forms a first bond connecting a first pair of adjacent optical fiber units 5, 105 while the successive bond formed by the successive bead connects a further pair of adjacent optical fiber units, wherein at least one optical fiber unit of the further pair differs from the optical fiber units of the first pair.

In embodiments of the present invention, at each longitudinal position of the optical fiber assembly there is at most one bond.

In the examples according to FIGS. 2a -6, the optical fiber units 5 each comprise a single fiber 2, while in the example according to FIG. 12, the optical fiber units 105 each comprise two optical fibers 2.

Several specific embodiments of said optical fiber ribbon are discussed below and disclosed in the drawings and each of these is discussed separately below.

In an embodiment, the fluorescent tracer is present in the bead in an amount of between 0.1 wt. % and 1.5 wt. % based on the weight of the bead. Below this amount the emitted light may be difficult to detect, especially visually by eye. Increasing the amount to above this value is not required for visibility and is undesirable due to cost increase and possible interaction with photoinitiator(s) that may be present.

In an embodiment, the fluorescent tracer may be a fluorescent dye or a fluorescent pigment, preferably a fluorescent dye as pigments may tend to settle with storage and may also result in processing difficulties with the small dispensing orifice required for the patterned application.

In an embodiment, the fluorescent tracer is selected from the group consisting of fluorescein salt (Example shown in FIG. 13), oxazole compound (examples shown in FIG. 14), benzoxazole compounds (examples shown in FIG. 14), stilbene compounds, pyrazoline compounds, triazole compounds, imidazole compounds, pyrazine compounds, triazine compounds, fluoranthene compounds.

In an embodiment, the fluorescent tracer has an absorption region that differs from the absorption region of the UV curing photoinitiator(s), e.g. that are present in the beads. When the absorption region would be the same, during curing of the beads using UV light, part of the UV radiation emitted by the curing station may be absorbed by the fluorescent tracer which may lead to incomplete curing of the UV curable resin.

In an embodiment, the fluorescent tracer has a high visibility at a concentration of less than <1 wt. % based on the weight of the bead matrix. This has the effect of minimizing any possible interaction with the UV curing photoinitiator system.

As explained above, the addition of the fluorescent tracer into the UV matrix adhesive formulation not only has the advantage to allow for process monitoring and control, but this tracer can also be used as an anti-counterfeiting feature allowing easy identification through fluorescence and the proper fluorescence wavelength.

In an embodiment, the optical fiber comprises from the center to the periphery thereof a glass core, a glass cladding, a primary coating, a secondary coating and optionally an outer layer. In an embodiment, the primary coating does not comprise a fluorescent tracer. In an embodiment, the secondary coating does not comprise a fluorescent tracer. In an embodiment, the outer layer does not comprise a fluorescent tracer. In an embodiment, the optical fiber does not comprise a fluorescent tracer. When a fluorescent tracer would be present in the optical fiber, this would make good evaluation of the properties of the beads difficult due to the presence of emission of visible light all over the ribbon.

In an embodiment, each of the optical fiber units comprises a group of at most three optical fibers, preferably two optical fibers, encapsulated with a matrix material. This embodiment, compared to ribbons according to the present invention wherein each optical fiber unit comprises a single optical fiber, allows the ribbons to have a more flat state and allows easier mass fusion splicing. In an embodiment, the ribbon according to the present invention comprises six optical fiber units, each comprising two optical fibers, in total leading to a 12-optical fiber ribbon.

In an embodiment, a bond has a bonding length (l) and bonds are spaced apart in longitudinal direction by a distance (d). In this embodiment, the bonding length is larger than the distance (l>d). The effect thereof is that the mechanical properties in terms of robustness are increased; a larger mechanical bond between the fibers is achieved.

In an embodiment, the bonding length is between 2 and 20 times the distance ((2d≤l≤20d or l/d=2 to 20). The values of 2 and 20 are included. In an embodiment, the bonding length is between 4 and 15 times the distance (4d≤l≤15d or l/d=4 to 15). The values of 4 and 15 are included. The bead as applied has an elongated form. It will flow into the groove between two adjacent optical fibers or—if the fiber unit comprises two or three fibers—two or three adjacent grouped optical fibers. The elongated beads forming a bond may have a width seen in plan view of between 75 and 350 micrometer, e.g. between 200 and 275 micrometer (viz. of similar dimension as the optical fiber).

In an embodiment, the bonding length (l) of a bead is between 1.5 and 20 mm. The bonding length of the bead is effectively defined by the ratio of bonding length of bonding distance (l/d) and by the ratio of pitch of the stepwise pattern over width of the optical fiber assembly (P/W).

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of optical fibers has substantially the same diameter. In an embodiment, the optical fiber has a diameter of between 240 and 260 micrometer, more preferably 250 micrometer. Alternatively the optical fibers may have a reduced diameter such as between 180 and 230 micrometer. In an embodiment, the optical fiber assembly comprises between 6 and 36 optical fibers (including 6 and 36), such as between 12 and 24 optical fibers (including 12 and 24), for example 12 optical fibers. The fiber units may comprise fibers grouped in pairs as described above. When grouped the optical fiber assembly may comprise 6 to 18 groups, that means units, of two fibers, such as 6 groups of two fibers, 12 groups of two fibers or 18 groups of two fibers. The fiber units may comprise three fibers, such as four fiber units of three fibers, or five fiber units of three fibers.

In an embodiment, the optical fibers may comprise in addition to the first and second coating layers an ink layer. A person skilled in the art is aware of the different types of primary coatings, secondary coatings and ink layers and the structure and thickness thereof.

In an embodiment, the beads have been arranged on only one side of said assembly. For example, the beads have been arranged only on the upper surface of said assembly (seen in plan view when the optical fibers of the assembly are arranged in a ribbon like manner and not in a rolled up manner). The assembly could be seen as a ribbon-like assembly defining two side edges, an upper surface and a lower surface. Said upper and lower surfaces are not fully flat, since they are formed of a parallel arrangement of fiber unit structures. The upper and lower surfaces comprises parallel longitudinal grooves, i.e. interstices, between adjacent optical fiber units. The beads are arranged to lie in the grooves, or, interstices, formed between the adjacent optical fiber units.

In an embodiment, two successive beads of said plurality of beads have been connected by a transition part of said bonding material. In an embodiment, in plan view said transition part is S-shaped. In an embodiment, each two successive beads of said plurality of beads have been connected by a transition part of said bonding material.

In an embodiment, a succession of alternating beads and transition parts forms a thread, wherein at each longitudinal position of the optical fiber assembly there is at most one thread.

In an embodiment, the thread has a mass (in grams) per 10000 meter of between 60 and 120 dtex, preferably between 75 and 110 dtex.

In an embodiment, each two successive beads of said plurality of beads are free from each other in that no bonding material connecting said two beads is present. In other words, there is no thread of resin but merely individual beads.

In an embodiment, a number of successive beads form a stepwise pattern over the plurality of optical fiber units, the step each time being one optical fiber unit.

In an embodiment, each of the optical fiber units comprises a single fiber, that means only one fiber. In another embodiment, each of the optical fiber units comprises a group of two optical fibers encapsulated with a matrix material.

In an embodiment, said matrix material is an acrylate, such as a polyurethane acrylate or a polymethacrylate material. In an embodiment, the encapsulating matrix material has a thickness of between 5 and 10 micrometer.

In a first example of this embodiment with a stepwise pattern, at an end of said stepwise pattern of beads, the bead that follows the last bead of said pattern starts a subsequent stepwise pattern in the same width direction, preferably wherein the successive stepwise patterns are free from each other in that no bonding material connecting said two stepwise patterns is present. This succession of stepwise patterns may be repeated, preferably over the length of the fiber units, thereby forming a saw-tooth-like arrangement over the plurality of fiber units, seen in plan view. In an embodiment of this saw-tooth like arrangement, a pitch (P) is defined having a length equal to the recurrence of the stepwise pattern in the same width direction and wherein the pitch (P) has a length that is between 10 times W and 100 times W, preferably between 15 times W and 80 times W.

FIGS. 4 (a&b) discloses an embodiment of an optical fiber ribbon 400 having a saw-tooth like arrangement. In this arrangement of FIG. 4 none of the beads 4 are connected and the plurality of beads is arranged as a discontinuous line. The saw-tooth like arrangement has a constant repetition that follows the trace of a saw tooth wave with a pitch (P) (see FIG. 4b ).

FIG. 5 discloses an embodiment of an optical fiber ribbon 500 having a saw-tooth like arrangement. The plurality of beads are arranged as a partly continuous line of said bonding material. The continuous line starts with a first bead 4 being applied between the first and second optical fibers 2 seen from the most distant edge. This continuous line continues over the top of said second optical fiber, with a transition part 9, to the groove between the second and third optical fiber, and further on over the top of said third optical fiber, with a transition part 9, to the groove between the third and fourth optical fiber and so on and so on. The continuous line ends in the groove between the fifth and sixth (last) optical fiber. A new continuous lines starts again in the groove between the first and second optical fiber at a distance P of the pitch (shown in FIG. 4) from the first continuous line.

FIG. 6 discloses an embodiment of an optical fiber ribbon 600 having a saw-tooth like arrangement. The plurality of beads are arranged as a continuous line of said bonding material. The difference with the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is that there is also a resin line 9′ between the bead 4 between the fifth and sixth optical fiber 2 of the first saw-tooth like arrangement and the bead 4 between the first and the second optical fiber 2 of the second saw-tooth like arrangement. This is a preferred embodiment.

In a second example of the embodiment with a stepwise pattern, a first stepwise pattern has been formed in a first width direction and wherein at the end of said stepwise pattern a further stepwise pattern in the opposite direction has been formed. This succession of stepwise patterns may be repeated, preferably over the length of the fiber units, thereby forming a zigzag-like arrangement over the plurality of fiber units, seen in plan view. The plurality of beads have been provided in such a manner that the plurality of adjacent optical fiber units of the fiber assembly, when the fiber assembly would be brought into a folded-out condition, extend in the same virtual flat plane. In an embodiment of this zig-zag like arrangement, a pitch (P) is defined having a length equal to the recurrence of the stepwise pattern in the same width direction and wherein the pitch (P) has a length that is between 14 times W and 140 times W, preferably between 18 times W and 100 times W.

FIG. 2a discloses a first embodiment of an optical fiber ribbon 100 having a zig-zag like arrangement. In this arrangement none of the beads 4 are connected and the plurality of beads is arranged as a discontinuous line. FIG. 2b discloses a second embodiment of an optical fiber ribbon 200 having a zig-zag like arrangement (which arrangement is shown by the black striped line connecting the middle points of the beads). The difference with FIG. 2a being that the bonding length l is shorter. In this arrangement none of the beads 4 are connected and the plurality of beads is arranged as a discontinuous line.

FIG. 3 discloses a third embodiment of an optical fiber ribbon 300 having a zig-zag like arrangement. The plurality of beads 4 are arranged as a continuous line of said bonding material, in the same manner as is the case in FIG. 6, so having the transition parts 9, 9′. The zig-zag like arrangement of the embodiments according to FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3 has a constant repeated arrangement that follows the trace of a triangle wave with a pitch (P) as shown in FIG. 2 b.

In an embodiment, the bonding material has an elongation at break of at least 150%, preferably at least 175%, more preferably at least 200%, even more preferably at least 220% and a modulus of elasticity (or Young's modulus) of between 10 and 16 MPa. In the present invention elongation at break and modulus of elasticity was measured using the following method: ASTM D638-14 “Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics”.

In an embodiment the bonding material is a cured resin or a thermoplastic material.

In an embodiment, the cured resin is an acrylate resin. Said cured resin is obtained by the curing of a curable, preferably UV curable resin, that is applied in the form of beads on the optical fiber assembly.

In an embodiment, the thermoplastic material is selected from the group consisting of nylon, copolyamide, polyester and copolyester.

In an embodiment, the thermoplastic material has a melting point of between 55 and 170° C., such as between 60 and 150° C., for example between 120 and 150° C.

In an embodiment, W is between 2 and 10 mm, preferably between 2 and 4 mm. The width W is effectively formed by the number (N) of optical fiber units each having a unit width (w) (W=w×N). In case that the optical fiber units comprise a single fiber, the unit with equals the fiber diameter (D) so that W=D×N.

In an embodiment, at a certain longitudinal position over the width (W) of the optical fiber assembly there is one bond. In an embodiment, at each longitudinal position over the width (W) of the optical fiber assembly there is one bond. In other words, at one certain longitudinal position there is only a bond between two optical fiber units, there is no bond present between another set of two adjacent optical fiber units. This structure minimizes the amount of bonds required and allows maximum flexibility.

FIG. 10 shows a picture of a ribbon according to the present invention having a zig-zag like arrangement with a continuous line of a cured resin.

The cross-section of FIG. 12 relates to a ribbon 700 according to the present invention, having fiber units 105 of each time a group of two optical fibers 2, encapsulated with a matrix material 8. Successive elongated rectilinear beads 4 of a bonding material have been arranged along a length of said assembly (one bead 4 is shown in the cross section). Each of said plurality of beads forms an elongated bond between two adjacent optical fiber units 105 as shown in FIG. 12.

The optical fiber ribbon of the present invention may be used to form optical fiber cable units and optical fiber cables. An example of such an optical fiber cable unit is shown in FIG. 11, this unit has 24 ribbons of 12 optical fibers. This cable unit packs 288 optical fibers in a very high fiber density.

In an aspect, the present invention relates to an optical fiber cable unit comprising one or more optical fiber ribbons according to the present invention surrounded by a polymeric sheath. In another aspect, the present invention also relates to an optical fiber cable comprising one or more of the optical fiber ribbons or optical fiber cable units according to the present invention.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method of producing an optical fiber ribbon 100-700, as defined in claim 7.

In a first step, a plurality of fiber units 5, 105, that is individual optical fibers 2, or grouped optical fibers 2, are fed—preferably into a die 12—to provide a longitudinal optical fiber assembly 3 wherein the plurality of optical fibers, or grouped optical fibers are in parallel and adjacent to each other. This is visible from FIG. 7 (process from right to left) and the assembly 3 is shown in FIG. 1.

In a second step, a bonding material comprising a fluorescent tracer is applied from a dispenser (or dispensing device) 14 to a surface, such as an upper surface of said assembly. Said second step may be in the form of applying a curable—preferably UV curable—resin. The application of said resin leads to said resin forming a stepwise pattern of a plurality of intermittently arranged beads 4 along the upper surface of said assembly 3. The second step may also be carried out by providing a thread of a thermoplastic material from the dispenser and heating said thermoplastic thread to above its softening point and applying said softened thermoplastic thread to said surface of said assembly 3 wherein the softened thermoplastic material is cooled down and forms a plurality of successive elongated rectilinear beads being configured to from bonds of said thermoplastic material.

In a third step which is present in the case of using a curable resin as bonding material—also shown in FIG. 7—said assembly with beads applied thereon is passed through a curing station 16 for curing the resin of said beads to form a stepwise pattern of successive bonds.

In this method, each of said beads being arranged to form a bond between two adjacent optical fibers units over a bonding length (l); and moreover, a bond connects two adjacent optical fibers units and a successive bond connects two adjacent optical fibers units at least one of which differs from the optical fibers units bonded by the preceding bond; and moreover, each of said bonds being distanced in longitudinal direction from a successive bond by a bonding distance (d). In an embodiment, the bonding length is larger than the bonding distance (l>d).

FIG. 8 shows a schematic drawing of an optical fiber ribbon having six optical fibers and a zig-zag stepwise arrangement of resin. FIG. 9 shows a schematic drawing of an optical fiber ribbon having six optical fibers and a saw-tooth stepwise arrangement of resin.

In a first embodiment of said method, said *applying a bonding material comprising a fluorescent tracer from a dispenser to a surface; comprises (or consist of) the following steps: *applying a curable resin from the dispenser to the surface of said assembly wherein the resin forms the plurality of successive elongated rectilinear beads being configured to from bonds; and *passing said assembly with the beads applied thereon through a curing station for curing the resin of said beads to form said bonds of cured resin.

In a second embodiment of said method, said *applying a bonding material comprising a fluorescent tracer from a dispenser to a surface; comprises (or consist of) the following step: *providing a thread of a thermoplastic material from the dispenser and heating said thermoplastic thread to above its softening point and applying said softened thermoplastic thread to said surface of said assembly wherein the softened thermoplastic material is cooled down and forms a plurality of successive elongated rectilinear beads being configured to from bonds of said thermoplastic material.

In an embodiment, the dispenser (dispensing device) is oscillating in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber assembly. Said oscillating device creates the stepwise pattern on one side of the optical fiber assembly; the tip of said dispenser may oscillate (vibrate) at a high frequency, such as in the order of between 100 and 200 Hz in a transverse direction. In an embodiment, the dispenser is oscillating in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction (i.e. in the width direction) of the optical fiber assembly. The optical fiber assembly is moved in longitudinal directly, preferably by reels.

In an embodiment the dispenser may deliver the liquid resin in fine droplets to the moving optical fiber assembly. Due to the surface tension of liquid resin it will flow together to form elongated beads.

In an embodiment, the curable resin has a viscosity at 23° C. of between 200 and 2000 cPS, preferably between 300 and 1000 cPS and more preferably between 400 and 600 cPS. The viscosity is measured at 23° C. using a Brookfield digital rotational viscometer Model DV-II with RV1 spindle at 10 rpm.

In an embodiment, the curing station emits UV radiation for curing said beads of curable resin.

Alternatively in the second step the bonding material is applied from a dispersing device as a thermoplastic thread and heated to above its softening point. Preferably the softening point of said thermoplastic thread is above 120° C. The softening point is determined according to a Vicat method with a load of 10N, according to ASTM-D1525-09. After heating the thermoplastic thread is cooled down, e.g. by transporting the fiber assembly over cold sheaves.

In an embodiment of said method, the optical fiber ribbon having the bonding material applied to a surface of the optical fiber assembly is exposed to ultraviolet light, preferably UV-A light having a maximum intensity peak in the wavelength range between 315 nm and 400 nm. One or more parameters, such as geometrical parameters, of an elongated bead or elongated beads of the plurality of elongated beads may be examined by detecting emitted visible light from said bead(s) while being exposed to the ultraviolet light. The step of exposing and of examining may be carried out by an individual, such as by visually detecting emitted visible light by the human eye, or in an automated manner as will be explained below, preferably as a, preferably in-line, part of the production process. Feedback control may be applied so as to change production parameters, such as relating to the dispenser or to a line speed of the ribbon along the dispenser, for example, based on the examined parameters.

Examples of geometrical parameters of an elongated bead or of beads are a length and a width of a particular bead, seen in plan view of the surface of the fiber assembly. Another example of such a geometrical parameter is a position of a bead relative to the two optical fiber units between which it forms a bond and/or relative to a further bead or to a pattern of beads to which it belongs. Another example of such a geometrical parameter is a position of a bead or of a pattern of beads, that is, several beads, relative to a centre of the ribbon in the transverse direction of the ribbon. In this way it can be verified whether the bonding material has been applied to the surface at the intended location(s) and evenly distributed seen in transverse direction. A further example of such a parameter is a height dimension of a bead relative to a plane defined by the upper sides of the two optical fiber units, seen in a plane defined by the two optical fiber units, that is, in the direction of extension of the fiber units. An example of a further (non-geometrical) parameter is a wavelength of the emitted visible light by the fluorescent tracer present throughout the beads.

In an embodiment of the method, the following parameters are examined:

-   -   A width of a bead,     -   A height dimension of the bead,     -   An offset of a pattern of beads, that is, the position of the         pattern relative to a centre of the ribbon in the transverse         direction of the ribbon.     -   A pitch of a pattern of beads including the bead,     -   Optionally, also an overall amplitude, that is, a dimension in         the transverse direction of the ribbon of a pattern of beads,         such as the patterns shown in FIG. 2b or 3.

In accordance with the invention, also a method of examining an optical fiber ribbon is provided, the optical fiber ribbon comprising

-   -   a plurality of adjacent optical fiber units extending in a         longitudinal direction and arranged in parallel forming an         optical fiber assembly having a width, each of the optical fiber         units comprising either         -   a single optical fiber or         -   a group of at most three optical fibers, preferably two             optical fibers, encapsulated with a matrix material; and     -   a plurality of successive elongated rectilinear beads of a         bonding material being arranged along a length of said assembly;         -   each of said plurality of beads being configured to form an             elongated bond between two adjacent optical fiber units of             the plurality of optical fiber units,             the method comprising     -   exposing a part-length of the optical fiber ribbon to         ultraviolet light for the purpose of examining a parameter of an         elongated bead or of beads of the plurality of elongated beads         of the optical fiber ribbon while being exposed to the         ultraviolet light.

This way, in view of an anti-counterfeiting examination, it may firstly be verified whether a certain ribbon has beads comprising a fluorescent tracer at all. By this is meant that such examination is not a part of the production process of the ribbon, unlike the above described embodiment of the method of producing an optical fiber ribbon in accordance with the invention, wherein a ribbon having beads comprising the fluorescent tracer is being examined, preferably in line during after that the bonding material has been applied to the surface. Such an anti-counterfeiting examination may be carried out upon installation of a certain ribbon or upon receipt of a certain ribbon from a supplier, for example. If the ribbon proves to have beads having the fluorescent tracer at all, additionally various parameters as described may be determined, such as, again in view of an anti-counterfeiting examination, a wavelength of the emitted visible light by the fluorescent tracer present throughout the beads.

The above-described method of examining an optical fiber ribbon may also relate to (post-production) examination of a pre-produced optical fiber ribbon in accordance with the present invention, thus having the fluorescent tracer, which ribbon is preferably also produced in accordance with a method according to the invention. Such an examination method may very efficiently be used in (post production) quality inspection processes, such as on site upon installation of the ribbon.

The detection of emitted visible light as mentioned above in view of methods according to the invention may be performed by means of a camera of a vision detection system. A scan rate of the camera may be set so that a picture is taken at an interval of 0.5 to 5 meters, preferably of 1 to 2 meters of optical fiber ribbon. That is, in a continuous process wherein the optical fiber ribbon is continuously fed along the camera, such as for example at a rate of 10 meters per second, 5 to 10 picture may be taken each second.

The step of exposing the optical fiber ribbon to the ultraviolet light may comprise exposing to stroboscopic ultraviolet light with a strobe frequency synchronized with a scan rate of the camera of the vision detection system.

Using the vision detection system one or more of the above presented parameters may be determined.

FIG. 15 shows the optical fiber ribbon according to FIG. 2a in combination with an embodiment of a vision detection system having a camera 22 disposed above the ribbon so as to take pictures of the ribbon in plan view of the surface of the fiber assembly, in order to determine geometrical parameters of an elongated bead or beads such as a length of a bead. The optical fiber ribbon is lit by means of a stroboscopic ultraviolet light source 20. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a and 15, a length of a bead 4 corresponds to the bonding length l. In the configuration of FIG. 15, other geometrical parameters may be determined as well. Such parameters may include a position of a bead relative to further beads, which parameter is related to the bonding distance d.

FIG. 16 shows a part of the optical fiber ribbon according to FIG. 12 in combination with an embodiment of a vision detection system having a camera 24 disposed aside the ribbon so as to take pictures of the ribbon in a plane defined by the two optical fiber units. The optical fiber ribbon is lit by means of a stroboscopic ultraviolet light source 20. Of course, a further configuration may include a camera disposed above the ribbon as shown in FIG. 15, and also including a camera disposed aside the ribbon as shown in FIG. 16. Using the camera disposed according to FIG. 16, a height dimension h of a bead relative to a plane defined by the upper sides of the two optical fiber units may be determined.

The step of exposing may further comprise comparing a determined parameter with a predefined reference parameter or reference parameter range, and generating an alarm signal and/or feedback control signal when the comparison indicates an unacceptable deviation between the reference and the determined parameter. Based on a feedback control signal, a production parameter such as relating to the dispenser or to a line speed of the ribbon along the dispenser, for example, may be changed in an automated manner in order to bring the determined parameter within the reference range or towards the reference value for the parameter.

Reference is made to FIG. 17, for which figure the above description of FIG. 7 is relied on. The difference between the process shown in FIG. 17 and in FIG. 7 is that in the process shown in FIG. 17, cameras 22 and 24 (in the configuration relative to the ribbon as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16) of a vision detection system is provided downstream of the curing station 16. In the process, by means of a forth step, the optical fiber ribbon is lit by means of a stroboscopic ultraviolet light source 20 and the consequently emitted visible light as explained above is detected by the cameras 22 and 24.

The vision detection system may comprise, or be operatively connected to a system comprising, a processor and a memory element, with the camera and optionally also the light source being operatively connected to the processor. The memory element can store information about reference values or reference range values of the above mentioned parameters. In the memory element, software may be stored which, if loaded by the processor during use, carries out the method steps related to the examination as described above, such as including the described comparison and alarm signal generation. The processor may be connected to a user interface, such as a display, such as for displaying a result of the comparison, and/or determined parameters.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. One or more of the objects of the invention are achieved by the appended claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of producing an optical fiber ribbon, comprising: feeding a plurality of optical fiber units to provide a longitudinal optical fiber assembly having a width, wherein the plurality of optical fiber units are in parallel and adjacent to each other, each of the optical fiber units comprising either a single optical fiber or a group of at most three optical fibers encapsulated with a matrix material; applying a bonding material comprising a fluorescent tracer from a dispenser to a surface of said optical fiber assembly, wherein the bonding material forms a plurality of successive elongated rectilinear beads being configured to form bonds and wherein each of said plurality of beads forms an elongated bond between two adjacent optical fiber units of the plurality of optical fiber units; exposing the optical fiber ribbon having the bonding material applied to a surface of the optical fiber assembly to ultraviolet light; and examining one or more geometric parameters of an elongated bead or of elongated beads of the plurality of elongated beads by detecting emitted visible light from said elongated bead(s) while being exposed to the ultraviolet light; wherein the optical fiber ribbon comprises: (i) a plurality of adjacent optical fiber units extending in a longitudinal direction and arranged in parallel to form an optical fiber assembly having a width, each of the optical fiber units comprising either a single optical fiber or a group of at most three optical fibers encapsulated with a matrix material; and (ii) a plurality of successive elongated rectilinear beads of a bonding material being arranged along a length of said optical fiber assembly, each of said plurality of beads being configured to form an elongated bond between two adjacent optical fiber units of the plurality of optical fiber units, wherein a fluorescent tracer is present in each of said plurality of beads.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescent tracer is present in at least one bead in an amount of between 0.1 weight percent and 1.5 weight percent.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescent tracer is a fluorescent dye or a fluorescent pigment.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescent tracer is selected from the group consisting of a fluorescein salt, an oxazole, a benzoxazole, a stilbene, a pyrazoline, a triazole, an imidazole, a pyrazine, a triazine and a fluoranthene.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a first bead forming a first bond connects a first pair of adjacent optical fiber units while a successive bond formed by a successive bead connects a further pair of adjacent optical fiber units, wherein at least one optical fiber unit of the further pair differs from the optical fiber units of the first pair.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein at each longitudinal position of the optical fiber assembly there is at most one bond.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the detection of emitted visible light is performed by a camera of a vision detection system.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein exposing the optical fiber ribbon to the ultraviolet light comprises exposing the optical fiber ribbon to stroboscopic ultraviolet light with a strobe frequency synchronized with a scan rate of a camera of a vision detection system.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the vision detection system: determines a length and/or a width of a bead, and/or a position of a bead relative to the adjacent two optical fiber units between which it forms a bond and/or relative to a further bead or to a pattern of beads, and/or a position of a bead or of a pattern of beads relative to a center of the ribbon in the transverse direction of the ribbon, and/or determines a height dimension of a bead relative to a plane defined by the upper sides of the two adjacent optical fiber units, and/or determines a wavelength of the emitted visible light.
 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein exposing the optical fiber ribbon to the ultraviolet light comprises comparing a determined parameter with a predefined reference parameter or reference parameter range, and generating a signal when the comparison indicates an unacceptable deviation between the reference and the determined parameter.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying a bonding material comprising a fluorescent tracer, comprises: applying a curable resin comprising the fluorescent tracer from the dispenser to the surface of said optical fiber assembly, wherein the resin forms the plurality of successive elongated rectilinear beads; and passing said optical fiber assembly with the beads applied thereon through a curing station for curing the resin of said beads to form said bonds of cured resin.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying a bonding material comprising the fluorescent tracer, comprises: providing a thread of a thermoplastic material comprising the fluorescent tracer from the dispenser, heating said thermoplastic thread to a temperature above its softening point, applying said softened thermoplastic thread to said surface of said optical fiber assembly, and cooling the softened thermoplastic material to form a plurality of successive elongated rectilinear beads being configured to form bonds of said thermoplastic material.
 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the curable resin has a viscosity at 23° C. of between 200 and 2000 cPS.
 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the curing station emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation to cure said beads of curable resin.
 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser oscillates in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber assembly.
 16. A system for implementing the method according to claim 1, the system comprising: a die for providing the optical fiber assembly, a supply unit for feeding the plurality of optical fiber units to the die, a dispenser for applying the bonding material comprising the fluorescent tracer to a surface of said optical fiber assembly, a station for curing, cooling, or otherwise treating the bonding material, an ultraviolet light source lighting the optical fiber ribbon having the bonding material applied to a surface of the optical fiber assembly, and a vision detection system for detecting visible light emitted by the beads while being exposed to the ultraviolet light. 